Automatic shoe shine device



R. R. PAGANO AUTOMATIC SHOE SHINE DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Feb. 27, 1962Filed Dec. 23, 1959 INVENToR. 400# 40. /DAAA/o AGE/v7' wmp vv Feb. 27,1962 R. R. PAGANO 3,022,528

AUTOMATIC SHOE: SHINE DEVICE Filed Dec. 25, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 UnitedStates Patent O 3,622,528 AUTOMATIC SHOE SHINE DEVICE Ralph R. Pagano,118 87th St., Brooklyn 9, N.Y. Filed Dec. 23, 1959, Ser. No. 861,481 4Claims. (Cl. 15-31) The present invention relates to an automatic devicefor feeding measured amounts of a viscous substance to a receivingstation and in particular to an automatic shoe shine machine in which ameasured amount of a viscous shoe polish is controllably fed to anapplicator brush at measured intervals wherein an operator of saidmachine is enabled to apply shoe polish to each of a pair of shoes andpolish the same.

One feature of the device resides in the construction of a reservoir forcontaining a viscous substance under continually applied hydrostaticpressure, one end of the reservoir having a discharge line associatedwith an electrically operable discharge valve coupled to a controlcircuit with which is associated a selectively operable timing mechanismadapted to control a complete cycle as well as to control via cam meanssub-cycles within the complete cycle. As a preferred embodiment, thereservoir has a one-way valve means connected thereto which enables thefilling of said reservoir with the viscous substance without dismantlingthe reservoir assembly.

' Another feature resides inthe use of a plurality of reservoirs, eachconfining a different viscous substance, e.g. such as various colors ofshoe polish, wherein the ejection of a desired color can be controlledin accordance with selectively controlled electrical circuits. Thus,each reservoir may have electrically operable discharge means each ofwhich may be associated with a control circuit containing a selectivelyoperable timing mechanism adapted to effect sequential feeding ofmeasured amounts of the viscous substance to a particular receivingstation, e.g. an applicator brush where the substance being fed is shoepolish. In a preferred aspect of the invention, a selector or isolationcircuit is employed for selectively energizing a particular controlcircuit with respect to the particular element of the device (c g.reservoir discharge means) to be actuated, the selector circuitthereafter isolating itself from the circuit by means of a thermal timedelay cut-out relay. l

Putting it another way, the invention provides an automatic devicecapable of being controlled selectively in the delivery of one of aplurality of viscous substances to a receiving station wherein oneportion of the device is mechanically arranged with electricallycontrolled mechanical elements for utilizing one type of viscoussubstance, and another portion of the device similarly arranged withmechanical elements for utilizing another type of viscous substance.Thus, in the case of a shoe shine machine, the electrically controlledelements comprise an orice for ejecting shoe polish to a receivingstation comprising an applicator brush and a rotatable shaft containingsaid applicator brush as well as additional brushes for polishing theshoes. To effectively control the automatic actuation of the device, acombination of control circuits may be employed comprising a main orholding circuit for each group of mechanical elements and selector orisolation circuits each adapted via releasably operable contacts orswitch means to select a main or holding circuit according to theparticular shoe polish desired. Each of the holding circuits hasreleasably associated therewith subsidiary circuits comprising a timingcircuit and other circuits each adapted to control an element of thegroup of mechanical elements associated with the holding circuit, thetiming circuit containing a timing motor having cam means associatedtherewith pre-set to energize selectively each of said subsidiarycircuits as well as control the total running cycle of the device.

"ice

As applied to a preferred embodiment of an automatic shoe shine machine,the device comprises a frame for housing two sets of mechanicallyarranged elements, one for handling black polish, the other brownpolish. Two rotatable shafts are provided, one containing a set ofbrushes for handling one polish and the other containing a similar setfor handling another polish. Each shaft is separately driven by a motorvia belt and pulley means. Each of said brush assemblies is associatedwith an upright cylindrical reservoir each containing one of theaforementioned viscous polishes under continually applied hydrostaticpressure, each reservoir having associated therewith an electricallyoperable discharge means.VV

Each'of the brush and reservoir combinations has associated therewith acontrol circuit comprising a holding circuit and an isolation circuit,each isolation circuit being adapted via releasably operable switchmeans to select a holding circuit corresponding to that portion of thedevice to be actuated, the isolation circuit being thereafter cut out bya thermal time delay relay. Similarly as in the other embodiments, theholding circuit has releasably coupled thereto subsidiary circuitscgmprising a timing circuit containing a timing motor having meansassociated therewith pre-set to actuate the motor for rotating aparticular shaft and to actuate the discharge means for ejecting theshoe polish in accordance Awith a desired operating sequence determinedby cam settingsY on the timing motor.

It is anobject ofthe invention to provide a device capable of beingautomatically controlled for feeding measured amounts of a viscoussubstance from a reservoir to a receiving station.

Another object is to provide an automatic Vshoe shine machine capable ofbeing selectively operated to suit the needs of the operator.

Other features and objects will more clearly appearV from the followingdescription taken in conjunction with the drawings, wherein:

FIG. l depicts generally in three dimensions one embodiment of theinvention as applied to an automatic shoe shine device;

FIG. 2 is a cross section taken along line 2-2 showing I n 1 showing therelation of the ejection orifice to the aplicator brush;V and Y FIG. 6is illustrative of an electrical circuit which may be employed in thedevice of the invention.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, an embodiment of a shoe shine device isshown having the general shape of a triangular prism. The frame includesvertical members 2 spaced forward of the device as shown in FIG. 2,members 2 serving to support therebetween cross members 3 and 4 (FIGS. 2and 4). The front portion of the device has a vertical structural member5 (FIGS. 1 and 3) of contoured sheet steel (e.g. 16 gage) connected toside members 5a also of sheet steel which in turn are connected toangles 1a in the rear of the device (FIG. 3) to form a rigid suportingstructure. Structural member 5 has connected at each side thereofauxiliary members 6,

cal circuit components maintained within container 12 shown in FIG. 2.Another container 12a is provided connected to the back of cross member3 for containing a sheathing of sheet steel 13 bent rearwardly at 1 toform a rigid structure; Y

Crossmembers 3 and 4 are used to support a pair of cylindricalreservoirs 14, 15 preferably of high strength extruded transparentplastic material, although the reservoir may be made of metal. Asemployed in a preferred embodiment, the reservoirs have a diameter ofabout 3 inches,V a wall thickness of about 1A inch Vand a length ofabout 12 inches. Each cylinder contains a hollow floating piston or cup16,1701?V 2O gage spun steel having connected to the hollow thereof(note FIG. 4) a high energy compression spring 18 of cold drawn steel inwhich Y hollow the spring is Vcapable. of being fully retracted whenthe'reservoiris lled with a viscous substance such as shoe polish. TheYpiston which is about 21/2 inches high its snugly into the inner boreof the reservoir. Eachk reservoir is held in position by upper plates 19and lower Y plates 20 removably fixed to cross bars 3 and 4,respectively, the lower plate having a hole cut out (note FIG;Y 4) forreceiving and supporting acomponentbell shaped- `bottom 21 ofthe'reservor, the bottom` being supported Vat its flange 22. Cylinder 15is adapted'totit snugly into bottom 21Y and sealed tight via exiblewasher 23. The; various elements making up the reservoirs are held to-VVgether asa unit by tie rods 24 (FIG. Y2) bolted tight to resist theexpanding tendency of piston springs 18. When the cylinders are lledwith a viscousY substance to be discharged, such as shoe polish,v andthe oating pistons with the connecting springs put in place, and thereservoir assembly clasped tight between 'support plates 19 and 2i) viatie rods 24, the springs are caused to retract within thelhollow of thepistons wherein suicient energy is stored up `within the springs tomaintain continual hydrostatic pressure on the viscous substance.

The bell shaped bottom of the reservoir has extend-' ingf therefromoutlet tubingV 2S (FIG. 4), preferably copper tubing, to which 'isconnected a control valve 26 for controlling the amount-of flow ofshoepolish. The outletextends toy a discharge line 27 which connects toa solenoid operated valve 2S normally in the closed positionbvut'electrically operable vto open for a timercalculated to discharge ameasuredV amount of viscous substance to the applicator brushof the shoeshine machine via ldischarge orifice 29 (FIG. 5). Referring to FlG. 5,discharge orifice 29 is disposed beneath Ysheet metal guard 30held rigidby strut 30a whichguard is immediately atop applicator brush 42,. Aleather flap 31 is alsoV .provided forward of orifice 29 beneath theguard'toA prevent any centrifugal,splatteringgof shoe polish thatmightpossiblyY occur during polishing.

To facilitate filling of the reservoir without discon.V

necting-the various elements, Va onefwayvalve 32 is provided in bottomx21l throughgwhich, shoe polish 32a can be injected'byrmeans of a highpressurel gun or similarV As shown in FIGfB, the space-below shelf -9 in'thelower part of the machine isoccupied by a pair of shafts.

deviceV (FIG. 4). i

journaled at 33fand 34fon auxiliary members 6 and 7 in the forward Ypartof the machineand similarly journaled in. the rear,atm35, 3,6.YTransverseV support `men-1- bers '37, 38 are provided to support therearend ofthe shaft. The journaled shafts 39,l 4,0each contain threesets of'brushes; applicator brushesV 41, 42,V polishing brushes 43,44,.and birding brushes '45', 46, Each of the shafts are driven by.V-beltsY (notshown) by means of pulleys 47,1, 48 via'Ymotors 10 andV 11,respectively, the

aid the operator to support himself during a shoe shine cycle;

The triangular-like prism S projecting upward from the machine in FIG. 1is not structurally essential but would be useful for containinginstructions, e.g. on the vertical faces thereof, for guiding theoperatorV in utilizing the device.

The device has a door 5 6 (FIGS. l and 2) hinged at 56a and latched at56b behindV which a coin box 57 is mountedA via a bracket 58 to crossmember 59 xed to the sides of the device. in FIG. l, two slot chutes 61,62 are provided directed v to slot chute 65 of the coin hoX.V Y

ing onwhetherV blackor brown polish is desired. Each.

of the two slots effects the energizing of an isolationcircuit whichdetermines the actuation of the control circuits energized by amain coinVswitch subsequently actuated by the s-ame coin which actuates theisolation cir-` cuit. T he circuits employed` inV controlling theoperation of the machine will be more clearly understood by referring toFIG. 6

ln this figure, acoin receiver 60 is indicated schematically with co-in.slots 61, 62, one to actuate the black polishing side of the machine,e.g. 61, the other thebrown polishing side, c g. 62. Slot 61 containsblack. selector Y switch 63 for actuating the black isolation circuitYconbelts passing throughV openingst4r9r5r0fof shelf9YV to pulleys f 51,52 of the shafts.V VOne, set of brushes is adapted for black polish,theother-set for brown polish. Foot railings` 53, 53a, and handrailings` 54,5441 .arelprnovided vtiointerval, `cuit has also beenreleased fromv itsnormally open positaining relay assembly` K1 whileslot. 62A contains brownV selector switch 64 for similarly actuating thebrown isolating circuit containing relay assembly. K1. are directedtowards main slot 65 containing main control switch 66 which the coinac-tuates after actuating either selector switch 63A or: 64. The twoisolation cir- Y cuits are important in that,V depending on the oneenergized, they determine selectively the operation of the main orholding circuit in controlling the shoe shine cycle. Assuming the blackside ofthe circuit is to be energized, a coin is caused to traverse slotor chute 6l to eiect contacting of 'selector switch 63 and the momentaryclosing of the circuit through line 67, coil 68 of electromagneticisolation relay K1 and Vpower supply line 69. As coil 68Y is energized,contact '71 releases from its normally open-position with contact 72 andlocks up with contact to form a complete circuit. with the normallyclosed contactsof thermal delay relay 73. The heater of the thermalrelay is energized andvis pre-set to maintain a complete-circuit for ashort time interval, e,gr.rfor about three to ve seconds or otherdesired time During Vthis period contact 75 yof another cirtion withcontact 76 and locked up with Vcontact 74 due to energized coil 68.k

The purposeofrthethermal delay relay is to avoid lock-up of theisolation relay andato re-open the circuit in the event the coin doesYnot actuate main switch 66 andris rejectedrfor any of thefollowingreasons (l) A change coin box is lusedand there are no coins readilyavailable for making change; Y

(2) A vbent'or defective coin is dropped in the chute and fails toactuateswitch 66;

(3) Slugs are used Yin lieu of coins;

(4) Faulty operation vof ,the switches.

If during the,aforementionedV short time interval, none of the foregoingsituations occur, then the coin, after setting up thegblackgi'solationcircuit, enters the chute or slot 65 of the coin box withinv said timeYperiod and At the top of the machine shown Both slots actuates the maincoin switch. When this occurs, a circuit is formed through line 77,previously closed contacts 75-74, line 78, ccil 79 of black holdingrelay K2, and line 80 through re-set switch 81 to ground. Coil 79 isthereby energized causing contact 83 to release from open contact 84 andlock up with contact 82 through normally closed re-set switch 81. In themeantime, the thermal relay operates after expiration of said short timeperiod to open the contacts 71 and 75, thus cutting the isolationcircuit completely from the subsequent operation of the machine. Theblack holding relay K2 is also isolated from the coin switch throughpower lead 80a, coil 79, line St) and to ground via transfer switch 81.Because coil 79 is now energized, contact 87 is released from opencontact 88 and locked up with contact 86 whereby the circuit containingtimer 85 is closed via line 89, through contacts 87-86 to ground. Thetimer which comprises a 1/s r.p.m. motor is energized and starts to runa complete revlution for about 180 seconds except for a momentarystopping at 175 seconds.

Timer 85 contains a shaft with three separate cams mounted thereonpre-set to operate switches to actuate (1) brush motor 10 via switch 92and relay K3 containing electromagnetic coil 92a and switch 92b, (2) thesolenoid 28 via switch 94 and (3) re-eset switch 81 which is biased inthe closed position shown in FIG. 6. The control of the timer over theseswitches is indicated by dotted lines 85a, 85h, 85e and 85d. When 175seconds of the threeminute cycle have been completed, re-set switch 81is transferred to the other contact by virtue of the cam setting in thetimer whereby the black holding circuit is completely opened via openingof switches 83 and 87 causing timer 85 to stop momentarily during thetransfer. When the re-set switch reaches the other contact, the timer isre-energized and continues running for the remainder of the 5 seconds ofthe cycle through line 89, switches 87-88, line 90, through re-setswitch 81 to ground. Upon completion of the total cycle, the cam on thetimer, re-sets switch 81 to its original position shown in FIG. 6.

Regarding the brush motor, the timing cycle is set to start at the pointwhen holding relay K2 takes over the circuit. Approximately 2 secondsafter relay K2 takes over, switch 92 is closed by the timer whereby coil92a of relay assembly K3 is energized causing heavy duty switch 92h toclose and brush motor 10 to run. After the brush motor has run for about175 seconds, re-set switch 81 is caused to transfer as aforesaid,cutting out the K2 circuit and stopping the timer momentarily untiltransfer of switch 81 is completed and the timer resumed to finish outthe 5 seconds remaining. At the end of three minutes, switch 92 isopened thereby deenergizing coil 92a with the consequent opening ofswitch 921) and the stopping of the motor.

Switch 94 which controls normally closed solenoid 2S is in the openposition at the beginning of the cycle. After approximately four or iiveseconds of the cyle has passed, the switch is closed forapproximatelyone second whereby the solenoid is energized to open orice 29 duringwhich time black polish is ejected onto applicator brush 41. At the endof the one second pulse, the corresponding cam in the tirner reaches apre-set position whereby solenoid 2S is closed via opening of switch 94to shut ot any further feeding of the black polish. The solenoid ismaintained closed for approximately 20 seconds during which time theoperator of the machine is applying the already ejected polish onto oneof his shoes. At the end of this period, the corresponding cam in thetimer has reached another pre-set position wherein another one secondpulse is generated causing switch 94 to close and solenoid 28 to openand eifect a second ejection of polish for application to the othershoe. After the second ejection of polish, the solenoid remains closedfor the balance of the cycle.

In the meantime, as stated above, re-set switch 81 maintains a completecircuit through holding relay K2 for about seconds until transfer ofre-set switch 81 is effected. At the endY of the full cycle, the timermotor stops, the switch 81 is re-set to place the main circuit in aposition for lock up withholding relay K2 in preparation for the nextcycle. An electrically operable counter C may be provided connected toline 77 of main switch 66 to record the number of shoe shine cyclescarried out by the device.

While the circuit containing relays K1 and K2 has been discussed withregard to the application of black polish, the same discussion isapplicable with regard to the circuit containing relays Kl and K2. Itwill be noted that the same numeral designations have been usedcorresponding to those employed in the circuits of K1 and K2. Althoughthe circuit is shown as operating on A.C. power, it is to be understoodD.C. power may be employed as well.

With respect to the isolation circuit illustrated in FIG. 6, it will beunderstood that while reference is made to a thermal time delaymechanism, other mechanisms may be employed to eect the same result. Forexample, the time delay mechanism may comprise a specially designedrelay having associated therewith a mechanical element conligurated tooperate on a time sequence to cut in or cut out the relay. Similarly,with respect to the timing circuit comprising timer motor 85, othertiming mechanisms comprising cooperating mechanical elements may be employed to effect the same result. v

It will be appreciated that while the apparatus described herein and thecontrol circuits employed are directed to the automatic operation of ashoe shine device, .it will be understood that the invention isapplicable to other devices where controllable feeding of viscoussubstances is involved. For example, the invention may be applied to thecontrollable feeding of viscous foodstuis, such as gelatina, groundmeats, e.g. sausage meats, cottage cheese, butter and the like toreceiving stations containing packaging units for receiving said viscoussubstances. The invention is also applicable to the feeding `of non-fooditems such as greases, cosmetics and other viscous substances.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that many modications andvariations of the embodiments herein disclosed can be effected withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention which is dened inthe appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An automatic shoe shine device comprising a frame for housing saiddevice, at least one rotatable shaft supported by said device, said atleast one shaft having mounted axially thereon a shoe polish applicatorbrush and at least one shoe polishing brush, a motor associated withsaid shaft, at least one reservoir supported by said frame havingdischarge means cooperably associated with said shoe polish applicator,said vreservoir being adapted to hold a viscous shoe polish therein,said discharge means being adapted to apply a measured amount of polishto said `applicator brush, electric circuitry for lautomaticallycontrolling the operation of said device including an isolatableselector circuit and a main holding circuit having a solenoid withassociated switches, said selector circuit `having associated therewitha iirst coin-operable switch means and a solenoid with associated switchmeans energizable via said coin switch means, one of said switches beingreleasably adapted to set up said main holding circuit for energizationby a second coin switch means cooperably associated with said rst coinswitch means, said selector circuit having coupled thereto a time delaycircuit breaker adapted to isolate said selector circuit at a given timeinterval after the said main holding circuit has been energized, 'anormally closed holding switch for maintaining the holding circuitenergized after actuation by said second coin switch means, subsidiarycircuits releasably coupled to said holding circuit, one circuit com-Yswitch means' for the reservoir discharge means,tthe

switch means for the brush motor and the normally closed holding switchin accordance with a predetermined cycle.

2'. An automatic shoe shine device comprising a frame for housing saiddevice, at least one rotatable shaft supported by said device, said atleast one shaft havingmounted axially thereon a shoe polish applicatorbrush and at least one shoe polishing brush, a motor associated.

with said shaft, at least one reservoir supported by said frame havingdischarge means cooperably associated with said shoe polish applicator,said reservoir being adapted to hold a viscous shoepolish therein, saiddischarge means being adapted to apply a measured amount of polish tosaid applicator brush, electric circuitry for automatically controllingthe operation of said device includoperable switch means to set up saidmain holding cir- Y cuit for energization by a second coin siwtch meansco- `operably associated withsai'd iirst coin switch means, saidselector circuit having coupled thereto a time delayl circuit breakerfor cutting out'saidiselector circuit at a' giveni time'. interval afterthe said mainv holding circuit hasfbeen energized, a norm-ally closedholding switch for maintaining the holdingY circuit energized afteractuation by said second coin switch means, subsidiary circuitsreleasably coupled to said holding circuit, one circuit including meansfor actuating the reservoir discharge means, another circuit includingmeans for actuating said `brush motor, and a` still' another circuitcomprising av timer motor having timing cams associated therewithadapted sequentially to control the means for the reservoir dischargemeans, the means for thebrush motor' and the normally closed holdingswitchY in accordance withka predetermined cycle. n

3'. An automatic shoe shine device comprising aframe for housing saiddevice, at least lone rotatable shaftrsupported by said device, said atVleast one shaft having mounted axially thereon a shoe polish applicatorbrushy and at least one shoe polishing brush, a motor associated' Withsaid shaft, at least one reservoir supported by said frame havingdischarge means cooperably associated with said shoe polish applicator,said reservoir being adapted to hold a viscous shoe polish therein, saiddischarge' ing an isolatable selector circuit. and a main holdingcircuit, said selector circuit being adapted via a lirst coin-V 3 meansbeing adapted to apply a measured amount of polishrto' saidapplicatorbrush, electric circuitry for auto maticallycontrolling the operationrofsaid' device including an isolatable selector circuit and a main holdingcir: cuit, said selector circuit being adapted'through switch means toset up said main holding Vcircuit for energization by another switchmeans, said selector circuit being adapted to isolate itselfY from thecircuitry at a given time interval after the said main holding'circuithas been energized, a normally closed holding switch for maintaining theholding circuit energized, subsidiary'circuits releasebly coupled tosaid holding circuit, one circuit being adaptedfor actuatingthereservoir discharge means, another circuit being adapted foractuating said brash motor, and a'still another circuit being adaptedvia a timer motorv to sequentially control the means for actuating thereservoir discharge means, the means for actuating the brush motor andvthe normally closed holding switch in accordance with a predeterminedcycle.

4. An automatic shoe shine device Vfor feeding a measuredv amount ofshoe polish to a rotatably mounted shoe polish applicator' brushcomprising, means for rotating said brush, a reservoir having Ya lshoepolish discharge meansA associated therewith', said discharge meansbeingadapted with means to apply a measured amount of polish to saidapplicator brush, a main electric circuit for automatically controllingthe operation of said device including means yfor yenergizing saidcircuit, saidv energizing' means being ladapted to` isolate itselffrom'the circuit at 'a given time interval after the main circuit hasbeen energized, normally closed switchfor maintaining said main. circuitenergized after actuation by saidV energizing means, subsidiary circuitsreleasably coupled to said main circuit, one circuit being adapted foractuating the reservoir discharge means, another circuit-being adaptedto actuate the means for rotating said applicator brush and stillanother circuit comprising means for sequentially controlling the meansfor actuating the reservoir discharge means, the .means for actuatingthe applicatorV brush, and for opening and closing thenormally closedswitch in accordance* with a predetermined cycle.

References Cited in the iile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,176,14L1r Holmes Marf21, i916 Carter Jan. 7, i958

